The North Carolina Mason

July/August 2016

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The Mason
NORTH CAROLINA
Official Publication of e Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina
Volume 141 Number 4 Oxford, North Carolina July/August 2016
see SIXTH, page 8
Ric
Car
ter
photos
Annual Communication is coming up September 23–24 in
Winston-Salem — details begin on page 2.
By Ric Carter
HOOKERTON — On May 21, the weather looked
sure for a good soaking in the immediate future. e
previous several days had set the trend
and soaked the ground. Still, the officers
of Jerusalem 95 steeled themselves and
proceeded with the Sixth Masonic Dis-
trict's Second Annual Outdoor Degree.
ey returned to a skeet shooting
range in the countryside not too far
from Hookerton. ere, at the end of
a long farm path, past tylers posted to
check traffic, their rustic lodge furni-
ture was laid out in a large clearing in
the woods. Tarps were staked out to
cover much of the lodge floor to prevent
daubing with untempered mud.
e weather, though, was benevo-
lent. e skies sported only a light and
patchy cloud cover. Sixty-five Masons
from around the region braved the fore-
casts and enjoyed a cool, clear night of
fellowship and outstanding ritual.
Bethel 589 Master Greg Giles headed up a cook-
ing team from his lodge. ey barbecued pigs to feed
the attendees.
A night of mystery for candidates in the Sixth
The degree team prepares for the second section.
To make sure they beat any weather interference,
they started early, not long before sunset. Among those
opening the lodge were Master Charlie Hall, Senior
Warden Charles Chapman, Junior War-
den J. K. Hall, Senior Deacon Johnny
McLawhorn, Junior Deacon Ted Sauls,
and Tyler Jordan Braswell. ey were
mostly from Jerusalem 95. ey per-
formed the first section of the degree on
Greenville candidates Robert Tetterton
for Bethel 589, and Rohan Parekh and
Chad Van Etten for Crown Point 708.
Jerusalem 95's J. K. Hall was the
operative craftsman who created the
outdoor lodge furnishings. As his lodge
was hosting and is the oldest lodge
in the district (chartered 1827), they
wanted the outdoor degree to have a
rural, antique flavor. Preparation room
and entrance doors were set up in the
field. ey came from a century-old
The degree team is taking one last run-through of their floor work before the candidates are presented.